Clone Ascension

Evan stood before the vast stretch of blue ocean and golden sand, yet not a single person could be seen.

In his previous life, a beach like this would have been packed with tourists.

But on Blue Star, ordinary people didn’t dare approach the shoreline—

not with the constant threat of marine beasts lurking beneath the waves.

Last night, he had discussed joining Wendy’s laboratory as an assistant.

Wendy agreed almost immediately.

She had long noticed that Evan had no intention of attending classes;

he was always taking leave anyway.

Better to let him learn something useful in the lab and build hands‑on experience.

But as he lay in bed, Evan realized something awkward—

he had taken seven days of leave under the excuse of visiting General Elias Storm,

yet two days had already passed and he hadn’t even departed.

That wouldn’t do.

So early this morning, he boarded a plane to Dawnsea City.

He originally wanted to bring FangBro along—having him nearby would be safer—

but FangBro was busy digesting extracts and feeding the Dung‑Eater,

so Evan came alone.

He wasn’t worried about being followed by the Filthsoil Organization or the Zhao family.

He had a trump card now:

the Shifting Mask, a rare artifact.

His handsome face was gone, replaced by an utterly forgettable, average one.

“Traveling without luggage is the best.”

He touched the pendant hanging beneath his shirt—

the storage earring he had threaded onto a cord.

He wasn’t about to pierce his ear for a woman’s accessory,

but as a pendant, it worked perfectly.

After arriving in Dawnsea City, he didn’t head straight to the naval base.

Instead, he wandered along the coastline.

Dawnsea was the easternmost city of Dongli,

the nation’s only coastal city,

and its southern border touched the rival nation of Rovan.

Conflicts erupted frequently.

Because of its strategic location,

one of Dongli’s Four Guardians—General Elias Storm—

was stationed here year‑round.

“Almost lunchtime. I’ll try some local seafood first, then head to the base.”

⭐ Dawnsea Naval Base

A guard stopped a very ordinary‑looking young man.

“Who are you here to see?”

“I’m here to visit General Storm,” Evan replied.

The soldier froze.

General Storm?

His first instinct was that this guy was joking.

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No.”

The soldier’s expression grew wary.

Evan sighed and dialed the number President Hale had given him—

a direct line to General Storm.

The call connected after a single ring.

A man’s voice answered.

“Hello, who is this?”

“This is Evan Cole. I’m here to visit General Storm.”

A brief pause.

“When did you arrive?”

“I’m already at the base entrance.”

“Wait there. I’ll come get you.”

The call ended.

Moments later, a middle‑aged man in uniform approached the gate.

The guards immediately saluted him,

and their eyes widened when they realized Evan had summoned him with a single phone call.

The man looked Evan up and down, confused.

“Were you the one who called?”

He had seen Evan on television—

and this wasn’t the same face.

“It was me.”

Evan handed over his ID and student card.

“I used a disguise skill.”

The man nodded but remained professional.

“This is a military zone. We still need to verify your identity.”

Evan removed the Shifting Mask, revealing his true face.

Recognition flashed across the man’s eyes.

He smiled and extended a hand.

“I’m Marcus Grant, General Storm’s secretary.

She’s out on urgent business. Come inside and wait.”

The guards stared, stunned.

Marcus quietly instructed them to keep Evan’s identity confidential.

Evan followed Marcus into a reception room, where someone brought him tea.

“General Storm can’t be reached at the moment,” Marcus said.

“She had to leave suddenly. You can rest here for now.

If you get bored, feel free to walk around—just avoid areas marked restricted.”

“Got it, Mr. Grant. You can go handle your work.”

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After sitting for a while, Evan grew restless and wandered through the base.

But all he found were groups of new recruits in training.

Where were the soldiers?

Out on patrol?

He circled back to the reception room, bored out of his mind.

He even considered practicing the Swan Dance—

but the thought of embarrassing himself stopped him.

A while later, Marcus returned.

“General Storm may be delayed. Should I arrange lodging for you?”

Evan thought for a moment.

“Mr. Grant… is Serena Storm here?”

Since he was summoned for a blind date,

he might as well meet her.

And truthfully, he was curious.

Marcus’s expression stiffened—

just for a fraction of a second—

before returning to normal.

“She’s working in a clerical position here at the base.”

“Could you take me to her office?”

“I… have something urgent to handle.

I’ll send someone to guide you.”

He immediately summoned a tall, thin young soldier.

The soldier’s face twitched,

but under Marcus’s stern gaze, he obeyed.

As they walked, Evan couldn’t help asking:

“Why do you all look reluctant to see Serena?

Is she scary?”

The tall soldier’s expression turned strange.

“Miss Serena has a nickname here…

‘The Time Devourer.’”

That sounded impressive.

Did she have some time‑related ability?

Unlikely… but intriguing.

“What does that mean?” Evan asked.

“You’ll understand once you meet her.”

They arrived at an office door.

“She’s inside. You can go in yourself.

I’ll… head back.”

He practically fled.

Evan frowned and looked around.

This floor had several offices,

but only Serena’s door was open.

The others were locked,

though light and faint chatter leaked from inside.

He took a deep breath and stepped into Serena’s office.

⭐ Serena Storm

A spacious room.

Only one person inside.

Serena Storm.

She wore a crisp white blouse and jeans,

her high ponytail swaying slightly as she worked.

Every strand of hair seemed full of energy.

From Evan’s angle, he could see only half her face—

delicate, bright, alive.

She sensed his footsteps and looked up,

smiling warmly.

“Hello! How can I help you?”

“Senior Serena, hello. I’m Evan Cole.”

He removed the Shifting Mask.

“Junior Evan.”

She blinked in surprise, then smiled again.

“I know you. Grandma told me you’d be coming.”

She brought him a chair, poured him water,

and even offered her favorite snacks.

“Try this! It’s octopus tentacle—super delicious!”

Evan tasted it.

It really was good.

He asked casually,

“Do you know why General Storm asked me to come?”

Serena looked embarrassed.

“Actually… it’s because of me.”

So it was a blind date.

She continued softly:

“I planned to absorb a Deep‑Sea Electric Eel Extract recently,

but the one in the national treasury was redeemed by you.

Grandma went hunting for another one for me.

“But S‑grade marine beasts are rare.

She searched for days, even ventured deep into the Central Sea…

and ended up finding a mutated Deep‑Sea Electric Eel.”

“A mutated one?”

Evan’s interest spiked.

Mutated beasts could be weaker or stronger—

but an S‑grade marine beast mutating upward

would be close to an S+ monster like the Mutated Giant Crocodile.

Serena nodded.

“It’s far stronger than a normal eel.

Its extract is extremely violent.

Grandma worried I couldn’t absorb it.

“She heard from Chairman Sterling that you’ve absorbed a mutated Upright Ape Extract,

so she wanted to trade the mutated eel extract

for your Deep‑Sea Electric Eel Extract.

“But if you’re not confident, don’t force yourself.

Grandma can hunt another one later.”

Evan sat upright.

“General Storm is Dongli’s Guardian.

She protects our borders.

I’ve admired her my whole life.

“And you’re my senior from the same university.

How could I refuse something this small?”

He immediately took out the Deep‑Sea Electric Eel Extract

and pressed it into her hands.

“Take it, Senior. You can absorb it right now if you want.”

He wasn’t afraid she’d take it and deny the trade.

With General Storm’s status,

there was no way she’d go back on her word.

Serena accepted it, touched by his sincerity.

“When Grandma returns, I’ll have her give you the mutated eel extract.”

“No rush.

By the way, why is the base so empty today?”

“Things have been unstable at sea.

Marine beasts keep invading the coast,

so most soldiers are out on patrol.”

She hesitated.

“And this morning…

a huge number of marine beasts landed.

The soldiers rushed to intercept them.

“Then news came that…

a new island suddenly surfaced offshore.”

“An island?

Not a beast or a giant plant?”

Evan immediately pictured a massive turtle carrying an island on its back.

Serena shook her head.

“I don’t know.

Grandma thought something was wrong,

so she went to investigate.”

They didn’t dwell on the topic—

it wasn’t something they could influence.

Evan shifted the conversation.

“Senior, with your strength,

you should’ve qualified for the Master Class.

Why did you graduate directly?”

Serena tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“I wasn’t in the Combat Department.

I majored in Evolutionary Science in the Research Department.

I couldn’t enter the Master Class even if I wanted to.

“And I didn’t want to.”

Evan blinked.

“You studied Evolutionary Science?

That’s perfect—I’m a freshman in that major.”

Serena’s eyes widened.

“You’re that strong, and you didn’t join the Combat Department?”

Evan laughed.

“You’re one to talk.

I’ve never seen a research student absorb a Deep‑Sea Electric Eel Extract.”

Serena lifted her chin proudly.

“I’m different.

I study Evolutionary Science not to do research,

but to find my own path to power.

“And… I’ve found it.

“I’ve created an entirely new combat style.”

“Oh?” Evan leaned forward.

“Show me.”

What kind of style could a fresh graduate create?

“Come.”

Serena stood up.

“I’ll let you see it yourself.”

She sighed regretfully.

“It’s a pity.

If I had met you earlier,

you could’ve walked this path with me.

But you’ve already absorbed too many skills—your foundation is set.”

She led him out of the office

and into a sealed building.

She swiped a card and entered.

“There are many beasts inside—

captured by the navy for new recruits to practice against.”

She opened one of the containment rooms.